What are the Causes of Chin and Neck Fat?

As time passes, certain factors such as frequent exposure to the sun’s harsh ultraviolet rays, genetics or the natural aging process can adversely affect the appearance of, not only the face, but the neck as well. Over time, the skin loses its elastic quality. Fat cells become displaced. Muscles lose their tone. Eventually, this can cause the skin to hang off the neck or off the area under the chin, resulting in the dreaded appearance of neck fat.

Fortunately, Dr. Joshua Greenwald performs neck lift surgery (typically either in conjunction with facelift surgery or alone) to improve the appearance of double chins, or the skin that hangs unappealingly off the neck area.

The Procedure

Dr. Greenwald offers two types of surgical neck lift. Platysmaplasty is designed to improve the appearance of bands that can appear horizontally across the neck (due to fat that becomes trapped under the skin) by repairing or removing musculature, and by eliminating excess fat via liposuction techniques, if necessary.

The second type of neck lift is cervicoplasty, which is intended to remove loose excess skin as well as excess fat from the neck, giving the patient a smoother, turkey wattle-free contour.

Both types of neck lift surgery are performed on an outpatient basis under general anesthesia. Dr. Greenwald takes about two hours to complete neck lift surgery if it is performed alone.

He starts the surgery by creating an incision in the neck area, the exact location and pattern of which vary depending on the individual’s distinct anatomy and aesthetic goals for surgery. Next he separates tissue from fat and performs liposuction if needed. He repairs (or removes some of) the underlying neck musculature before removing the extra hanging skin. Dr. Greenwald smoothes out the remaining skin before closing the incisions with sutures and dressing the treated area with bandages.  And, voilà: The patient has a smoothly contoured, younger-looking neck.

To schedule a personal consultation with Dr. Greenwald to learn more about neck lift surgery, please contact his practice by calling (914) 421-0113 or fill out our virtual online consultation form.

Dr. Joshua Greenwald is a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City who studied and trained at prestigious educational institutions including Columbia University, Emory University, and New York University School of Medicine. His keen aesthetic eye and refined surgical techniques have led him to be a top choice for cosmetic face, breast, and body procedures in NYC. His exceptional patient care has earned him the distinction of “Top Doc” by both Westchester Magazine and Castle & Connolly for over 10 years running. Dr. Greenwald is an active member of the American Board of Plastic Surgery, the American Medical Association, and the Westchester County Medical Society.